• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 1996

This study was carried out to determine effectively the sex of rabbit embryos using H-Y antiserum. H-Y antiserum was obtained from inbred SD strain female rat which was immunized by injection of testis cell of inbred SD strain male rate into its spleen. The titer of antiserum was identified by sperm cytotoxicity test and culture of rabbit embryos with antiserum. The developed or undeveloped embryos were separated by exposure the embryos to the antiserum with H-Y antibody. Developed embryo were transferred to the recipients and sex of offspring were examined. 1. In the sperm cytotoxicity test, the rate of dead sperm showed no difference between two antisera from spleen and testis cell as antigens. It is confirmed that H-Y antibody in antiserum was absorbed by H-Y antigen in male rat spleen cells. 2. When rabbit morulae were exposed to antiserum and complement, the rate of embryos developed or arrested was 51 and 49% respectively and the rate was closely same as natural sex ratio of 50:50%. 3. When rabbit morulae were cultured for 12h in the medium containing antiserum produced by antigen of testis cell, the rate of embryos developed or arrested was 48 and 52% respectively and the rate was closely same as natural sex ratio of 50:50%. 4. Eighty rabbit embryos which were not affected by H-Y antiserum were transferred to four recipients. Two recipients were pregnant and born 13 pups among which 2 (14%) were male and 11 (86%) were female. In conclusion, existence of H-Y antibody in the serum from female rat immunized by injecting testis cell from newborn male rat to the spleen of the female rat was confirmed. When rabbitmorulae were exposed to H-Y antiserum and complement, about a half of embryos were developed to blastocysts. When the rabbit embryos not affected by H-Y antiserum were transferred, the rate of female offspring was 86%. Therefore, it was identified that most of embryos which were not affected by H-Y antiserum were female.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.661-670
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• 2018

Fimasartan, a new angiotensin II receptor antagonist, reduces myocyte damage and stabilizes atherosclerotic plaque through its anti-inflammatory effect in animal studies. We investigated the protective effects of pretreatment with fimasartan on ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in a mouse model of ischemic renal damage. C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with or without 5 (IR-F5) or 10 (IR-F10) mg/kg/day fimasartan for 3 days. Renal ischemia was induced by clamping bilateral renal vascular pedicles for 30 min. Histology, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis assays were evaluated 24 h after IRI. Compared to the untreated group, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels were significantly lower in the IR-F10 group. IR-F10 kidneys showed less tubular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis than untreated kidneys. The expression of F4/80, a macrophage infiltration marker, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, decreased in the IR-F10 group. High-dose fimasartan treatment attenuated the upregulation of $TNF-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 in ischemic kidneys. Fewer TUNEL positive cells were observed in IR-F10 compared to control mice. Fimasartan caused a significant decrease in caspase-3 activity and the level of Bax, and increased the Bcl-2 level. Fimasartan preserved renal function and tubular architecture from IRI in a mouse ischemic renal injury model. Fimasartan also attenuated upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and decreased apoptosis of renal tubular cells. Our results suggest that fimasartan inhibited the process of tubular injury by preventing apoptosis induced by the inflammatory pathway.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.195-202
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• 2013

This study was carried out to identify the relationship of biochemical bone turnover markers, bone mineral density (BMD), and general characteristics in Korean women. One hundred eighty healthy women, 20 to 50 years of age, living in Gwangju and Chonnam participated. Serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and osteocalcin (OC) were used as bone formation markers and N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTx) was used as a bone resorption maker to evaluate the state of bone turnover. T-scores were measured to evaluate BMD. We analyzed general characteristics, including age, menopause status, osteoporosis history, alcohol consumption, physical activity level, and degree of obesity (BMI, percent of fat). The BAP level significantly decreased in the group of twenty-year olds and increased in the non-alcohol consuming group, the group with a family history of osteoporosis, the menopause group, and the obese group (p<0.05). The OC level was lower in the group of twenty-year olds and increased in the non-alcohol intake group and the menopause group (p<0.05). BMD significantly decreased in the obese group (p<0.05). In conclusion, BAP and OC were affected by age, alcohol consumption, osteoporosis history, menopause status, and obesity. BMD was affected by obesity degree. These results suggest that the management of alcohol consumption and obesity are important for maintaining bone status during aging in Korean women.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.109-122
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• 2001

Gingival fibroblasts(GF) and periodontal ligament fibroblasts(PDLF) are the major cellular components of periodontal soft connective tissues, but the precise molecular biological differences between these cells are not yet known. In the present study, we investigated the expression of S100A4, S100A2 calcium-binding protein and osteoblast-specific factor 2(OSF-2, Periostin) mRNA in GF and PDLF in vitro through the process of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Northern blot analysis in each. Human GF and PDLF were isolated from the gingival connective tissue and the middle third of freshly extracted healthy third molars. They were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium(DMEM) containing 10% fetal bovine serum and cells in the third passage were used in the experiments. After extracting total RNA from cultured cells, RT-PCR and Northern analysis were performed using S100A4-, S100A2- and Periostin-specific oligonucleotide primers and subcloned cDNA probes in each. In PT-PCR and Northern analysis, the expression of S100A4 and Periostin mRNA in GF was slightly detectable. Interestingly, the expression of S100A4 and periostin mRNA in PDLF was much higher than that in GF. On the other hand, S100A2 mPNA was highly expressed in both GF and PDLF. Since there was a marked difference of S100A4 and Periostin expression between GF and PDLF in vitro, these data suggest that S100A4 and periostin could be used as a useful marker for distinguishing cultured gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effect of a herbal preparation HJ01 consisting of Salicornia herbacea, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Crataegi Fructus and Glycyrrhizae Radix on adipocyte differentiation in OP9 cells and on poloxamer 407(P-407)-induced hyperlipidemia in mice. Methods : 1. MTT assay was used to evaluate the potential cytotoxicity of Salicornia herbacea, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Crataegi Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix and HJ01, respectively. 2. Bone-marrow derived OP9 cells were treated with HJ01, and the alterations in fat storage in the cells were determined by the Oil red O assay. 3. The protein level of CAAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha($C/EBP{\alpha}$), as a adipocyte differentiation marker, was examined using western blot analysis in differentiated OP6 cells. 4. Adult male C57BL6 mice received intraperitoneal injections of P407 to induce hyperlipidemia, simultaneously, were treated with HJ01 for 4 weeks. Then the cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) levels in sera and liver tissues were measured. Results : 1. The MTT assay exhibited that Salicornia herbacea, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Crataegi Fructus, Glycyrrhizae Radix and HJ01 showed no significant cytotoxicity in tested dosages. 2. Ten days' treatment with HJ01 markedly inhibited the increases in fat storage in differentiated OP6 cells. 3. Four weeks' treatment with HJ01 down-regulated the protein level of CAAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha($C/EBP{\alpha}$) but up-regulated the levels of adiponectin in differentiated OP9 cells. 5. HJ01 inhibited the accumulation of TC and TG in liver tissues and increased serum levels of TC in hyperlipidemic mice. Conclusions : These results suggest that HJ01 can in vitro inhibit adipocyte differentiation and fat storage in OP6 cells, in vivo improve the hyperlipidemia induced by P-407 in mice, which may be mediated by promoting glucose uptake and improving a lipid metabolite profile.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.81-114
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Jeseupwiryeongtang-gagam(JWTG) on atopic dermatitis by in vivo experiment using NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse, which has histological and clinical similarities to the atopic dermatitis of human. Methods : To investigate the effect of JWTG on AD, we evaluated atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions by clinical skin index and analyzed immunological parameters in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs), splenocytes, draining lymph node(DLN) and performed skin histology in ears and dorsal skin of atopic dermatitis-like skin NC/Nga mouse in vivo. Results and Conclusions : In vivo, clinical skin severity score were significantly lower in JWTG group than control group. IgE, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IgM, IgG2a and IgG2b levels in serum were decreased remarkably in JWTG group than control group and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production, secreted in Th1 cell were increased by JWTG. After experiment ended, we analyzed immunological cells ($CD3^+$, $CD19^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD3^+$$CD69^+$, $CD4^+$$CD25^+$ and $CD49b^+$) by flow cytometry. It resulted that total absolute number of $CD3^+$, $CD19^+$, $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ cells were recovered as normal and $CD3^+$$CD69^+$ were decreased significantly compared with control group in isolated DLN and PBMCs from NC/Nga mouse and total absolute number of $Gr-1^+$, $CD11b^+$ and $CD3^+$ in dorsal skin of NC/Nga mouse were decreased by JWTG. We analyzed ear, DLN, and neck-back skin after biopsy and dyeing by hematoxyline/eosin(H&E) and toluidine staining (mast cells marker) and obtained results that JWTG were effective to histological symptoms (dermal and epidermal thickening, hyperkeratosis and inflammatory cell infiltration). Ear thickness was decreased significantly than the control group and the size of inflammatory lymphocytes cells(ILC) and plasma cells(PC) in DLN were also decreased.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.325-334
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• 2018

Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan zoonotic protozoan parasite that infects most species of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The heavy incidence and severe or lethal damage caused by T. gondii infection clearly indicate a need for the development of an effective vaccine. T. gondii GRA8 is a member of the dense granules protein family and is used as a marker of acute infection. In the present study, we evaluated the protective immunity induced by DNA vaccination based on a recombinant eukaryotic plasmid, pDsRed2-GRA8, against acute toxoplasmosis in mice. BALB/c mice were intramuscularly immunized with the pDsRed2-GRA8 plasmid and then challenged by infection with the highly virulent GFP-RH strain of T. gondii. The specific immune responses and protective efficacy against T. gondii of this vaccine were analyzed by measuring cytokine and serum antibody titers, splenocyte proliferation assays, and the survival times of mice after challenge. Our results showed that mice immunized with pDsRed2-GRA8 demonstrated specific humoral and cellular responses, induced higher IgG antibody titers with predominant IgG2a production; increased levels of IL-10, IL-12 (p70), $IFN-{\gamma}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and splenocyte proliferation; and prolonged survival times compared to those of control mice. The present study showed that DNA immunization with pDsRed2-GRA8 induced humoral and cellular immune responses, and all immunized mice showed greater Th1-type immune responses and longer survival times than those of control mice. These results indicated that T. gondii GRA8 DNA immunization induces a partial protective effect against acute toxoplasmosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1317-1320
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• 2012

Biliary tract cancers, broadly described as malignancies that arise from the biliary tract epithelia, are usually divided into two major clinical phenotypes: cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, differing in etiopathogenesis, risk factors, and perhaps molecular and genetic signatures. Atypical symptoms and lack of tumor biomarkers make it difficult to diagnose in early stages. At the time of presentation, few patients are candidates for potentially curative surgical resection. We here assessed and compared features of a total of 150 cases divided into extra- and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and gallbladder cancers (GBC). Althought there were no significant differences in serum tumour marker levels, GBC patients had the poorest prognosis. Furthermore, gallbladder cancer respond poorly to chemotherapy or radiation therapy and approximately half of untreated patients died within 10 months. Therefore, treatment for patients with gallbladder cancer is still in challenge. Outcomes and survival of these patients had improved little over the past three decades - a period in which new successful treatments have greatly contributed to the prolonged patient survival for many other cancers.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.13-16
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• 1997

Steroid induced bone loss is a serious problem in frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome especially in growing children. In order to evaluate whether $1-(OH)D_3$ (IL Sung Pharma.Co.) is effective in preventing steroid induced bone loss, we gave $0.5{\mu}g$ of $1-(OH)D_3$ for one year to forty patients with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome, receiving longterm prednisolone therapy (mean duration $50.12{\pm}29.40$ months). We checked the following markers before and after $1-(OH)D_3$ therapy. i.e. bone mineral density(BMD) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DEXA) at the 2nd to 4th lumbar spine, serum calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone(PTH), osteocalcin and urine pyridinoline(U-PYD). BMD($g/cm^2$) was increased even steroid therapy from $0.71{\pm}0.0\;to\;0.73{\pm}0.0$ (p<0.05). Lumbar spine BMD is a sensitive marker for evaluating steroid induced bone loss in children receiving longterm corticosteroid therapy and that $1-(OH)D_3$ appears to be effective in treating and preventing steroid induced bone loss.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.724-731
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• 2012

This study was designed to elucidate whether combination with Korean red ginseng and Morus alba L. (MPM), traditional treatment for diabetes, ameliorates on high fructose-induced steatohepatitis and vascular inflammation. Animals were divided into four groups; Control receiving tap water, fructose-fed, rosiglitazone-treated fructose-fed rats, and MPM-treated fructose-fed rats both receiving supplemented with 60% fructose (n=10). The MPM or rosiglitazone groups initially received a high-fructose diet alone for 8 weeks, with supplementation with MPM or rosiglitazone, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) agonist, occurring during the final 6 weeks. Treatment with MPM significantly prevented the increase in c-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the high fructose group. MPM suppressed high fructose diet-induced vascular inflammation marker expression such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin. MPM also reduced intima/media thickness of thoracic aorta. Histologic observation and oil red O staining demonstrated hepatic tissue damage and lipid accumulation were severe in high fructose group. Treatment with MPM ameliorated hepatic tissue morphology with minimized steatosis. In addition, MPM attenuated hepatitis by inhibition of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression. MPM-fed group showed lower serum GOT and GPT levels comparing with high fructose group. MPM and rosiglitazone (positive control) significantly decreased the size of epididymal adipocytes. Taken together, the administration of MPM inhibited high fructose-induced steatohepatitis and vascular inflammation. These results suggested that MPM is useful in the prevention or treatment of metabolic syndrome-related disorders such as fatty acid metabolism and vascular homeostasis.